How Much Does Turf Cost in the UK? [2026 Turf Price Guide]

How much does premium turf cost in the UK in 2026?

If you’re planning a new lawn in Berkshire or London, the cost of turf will depend on more than the price of a roll. At Berkshire Turf, we supply and deliver turf across both areas, and the final cost can vary depending on the size of your garden, the turf you choose, the condition of the ground and whether additional topsoil is required.

There are also wider costs involved in growing, harvesting and delivering turf, which is why a single fixed price per square metre can quickly become misleading.

So instead of relying on one blanket figure, we think it is more useful to show what a real order can look like at different garden sizes.

For our Premium Lawn Turf, current example prices are:

 

Garden size	Example turf order	Price Including Vat and delivery
Small garden	20m²	£149.80*
Medium garden	50m²	£293.00*
Large garden	70m²	£384.96*

*some postcodes may have a small variation in delivery 

So what affects the cost? Because turf prices can change with growing, fertiliser, fuel and transport costs, these figures should be treated as a useful snapshot rather than a permanent price list. For the most realistic view of what your turf is likely to cost at the time you order, use our Turf Calculator, which reflects current pricing and helps you estimate the quantity you’ll need for your garden.

For larger gardens or higher-volume orders, we can also provide bespoke pricing based on the area and quantity required.

And while garden size is the obvious starting point, it is only part of the overall cost of creating a new lawn.

The shape of the garden, the amount of cutting and wastage, the condition of the existing ground, whether additional topsoil is needed and whether the turf is being laid DIY or professionally can all affect the final budget.

So rather than asking only: “How much is turf per square metre?”, the more useful question is: “How much will it cost to create the finished lawn I want?”.

 

How much turf do I need?

Before working out the cost, you need to know the size of the area.

For a regular, rectangular lawn you can usually use the simple equation below:

Length × width = lawn area in square metres

For example, a garden measuring 10m × 5m has an area of 50m².

In practice, we usually recommend ordering around 5% more turf than the exact measured area. This gives you a sensible allowance for cuts, trimming and small amounts of wastage, particularly around borders and awkward edges.

So for a 50m² lawn, you would typically order around 52.5m² of turf rather than exactly 50m².

That 5% is a useful starting point, not a rigid rule. A simple rectangular lawn with straight edges may create very little waste, while a garden with curved borders, trees, paths or lots of corners may need a slightly larger allowance.

That’s why we created our Turf Calculator. Enter the measurements of your lawn and it will help you work out how much turf you are likely to need before ordering.

For more complicated gardens, divide the lawn into a few simple sections, calculate each area separately and add them together. Then allow for the cuts you’re realistically going to make.

The aim is to avoid two equally frustrating situations: running out of turf before the lawn is finished, or ordering far more than you can use. Because turf is a fresh product, excessive over-ordering is rarely useful.

If you need more help, read our guide to decide how much topsoil and turf you need. 

Why can two lawns of the same size cost different amounts?

This is where average turfing costs can become misleading.

Imagine two gardens that are both 50m².

The first has reasonably level, workable soil and only needs basic preparation before the turf is laid.

The second has an old lawn to remove, compacted ground, uneven levels and poor soil that needs improving.

They need roughly the same amount of turf, but they are not the same turfing job.

In practice, the condition of the ground is often what makes the biggest difference to the overall cost.

 

Why does ground preparation matter when ordering fresh turf

Good turf will not compensate for badly prepared ground.

The soil may need to be cleared, loosened, levelled, raked and firmed before the turf is laid.

If there are dips in the ground beforehand, those dips will still be visible in the finished lawn. If the soil is badly compacted, the roots may struggle to establish properly. This is why preparation is such an important part of a turfing project.

The turf is what you see. The ground underneath is what determines how well it performs.

 

Do you always need new topsoil?

The simple answer is no – this is one of the biggest misconceptions we see around new lawns.

If the existing soil is good quality, has enough depth and can be properly prepared, bringing in new topsoil may be unnecessary.

Ordering more topsoil is more likely to be needed where the ground is:

• Very shallow
• Badly compacted
• Poor quality
• Full of rubble
• Difficult to level
• Unsuitable for healthy root growth

Where topsoil is needed, calculate it separately from the turf.

Our Topsoil Calculator can help estimate the quantity required based on the size of the lawn and the depth you need.

 

Delivery and freshness also matter

Remember that turf is a living product.

Once it has been harvested and rolled, it should be laid as soon as practical, particularly during warmer weather.

That means timing matters. The ground should ideally be prepared before the turf arrives, not after.

Leaving rolls stacked while you finish removing the old lawn or levelling the garden can affect the condition of the turf.

 

So when comparing turf prices, it is worth looking beyond the price per roll and considering how the turf is harvested, handled and delivered.

Is laying turf yourself cheaper?

Yes, it can be.

If the ground is already in good condition and you are comfortable preparing and laying the turf yourself, DIY installation can reduce labour costs.

But the part people often underestimate is the preparation. 

Actually laying the rolls is relatively straightforward.

Getting the surface level, preparing the soil properly and making sure everything is ready before delivery usually takes more time.

If you are going DIY, spend your effort on the ground first.

Is cheaper turf actually cheaper?

Not always.

If two products are genuinely comparable, price obviously matters.

But turf is not just a square metre of grass. Its grass mix, density, condition, freshness and how it has been handled all matter.

A family garden used by children and pets may need something different from a decorative front lawn.

The better question is: What turf gives me the right combination of quality, durability and price for my garden?

So how can I work out my turf budget?

Start with the garden, not the price list.

1. Measure the lawn accurately.
2. Use our Turf Calculator to estimate how much turf you need.
3. Check the condition of the existing soil.
4. Decide whether additional topsoil is actually necessary.
5. Use our Topsoil Calculator if you need to calculate soil quantities.
6. Decide whether you will lay the turf yourself or use a professional.
7. Add delivery and any preparation costs.

That gives you a much more realistic budget than simply multiplying a price per square metre by a rough estimate.

Need turf and topsoil delivered in Berkshire or London?

At Berkshire Turf we supply quality turf and topsoil across Berkshire and London, with delivery available for both small garden projects and larger landscaping jobs. If you’re unsure which turf to choose, how much topsoil you need or what to allow for delivery, get in touch and we’ll help you work it out before you order!

 

Turf cost FAQs

How much turf do I need for a 50m² garden?

For a measured 50m² lawn, we’d usually recommend ordering around 52.5m² of turf to allow roughly 5% for trimming, cuts and small amounts of wastage. A simple rectangular lawn may need very little extra, while a garden with curved borders, trees or awkward edges may require a slightly larger allowance.

Do I need topsoil before laying turf?

Not always. If your existing soil is deep enough, workable and suitable for turf, it may only need preparing. Poor, shallow or heavily compacted ground may benefit from additional topsoil.

Is it cheaper to lay turf yourself?

Usually, because you remove the labour cost. However, good ground preparation is still essential and often takes more work than the actual laying of the turf.